Free Once Upon a Rake by Samantha Holt Page A

she forced herself
to keep her hands clasped in front of her and her pace leisurely. Graceful and
poised, she reminded herself. Everything a countess should be.
    The scent of leather and old
paper suffused the air when she guided him into the library. It was neither the
largest nor the grandest library in England and that was precisely why Eleanor
liked it and often used it for meeting visitors. Not that she had many. All the
Sedgewick men had been adventurous sorts—preferring to experience things rather
than read about them—and as such the collection of books at Broadstone was
small, only occupying one wall. The rest of the walls were taken up with Edward
and his father’s mounted insect collection.
    Lucian held his hat in both
hands behind his back and strode over to inspect the collection. Eleanor found
herself twining her hands together, wondering what he thought of her
late-husband’s hobby. Did he deem it a great waste of time? Why did it matter
to her what he thought?
    “A fine collection,” he
murmured.
    “I did not think insects
interested you.”
    “I have little time for such
things but I admire those who have these passions. Without men like your late
husband, we would be without much of the knowledge that shapes the modern
world.”
    “Well, I’m not sure the
study of insects has done much for our world today but I appreciate the
sentiment.” She found herself letting slip a smile. Why did he have to be so
agreeable today? She was in dangerous peril of liking the man again and she did
not want that to happen.
    “If we are to understand our
world, we must investigate every aspect of it, no matter how small.” He
strolled over to view several photographs sitting on her writing desk. “You
look happy in these.”
    “I was.”
    Eleanor swallowed the knot in
her throat. She had been happy enough. Edward was a kind man, intent on looking
after her and had opened her eyes to the world. It was a lot for a young girl
to take on but she had been determined to prove her worth and had assisted him
in his studies as best as she could. She could only ever be grateful for
everything he’d taught her.
    She joined Lucian to study
the photographs. They documented her transition, she always thought, from
awkward young girl to a refined lady. Or at least as refined as one could be
when your legs refused to cooperate in a reasonable manner and you had hay for
hair.
    Lucian twisted to view her.
Something dark sat in his green eyes as he gazed at her. Some reflection of
pain, perhaps, yet why would anything to do with her pain him? And when had
Lucian ever felt any deeper emotions? His world had been one of fun and
decadence. She had begun to doubt he really was capable of feeling anything
deeply after the night he had kissed her.
    “I am glad. I did not like
the thought...”
    She heard his teeth grind
and the long expel of a breath. He did not like the thought of what? Her being
unhappy? Did he really care that her parents had arranged a marriage because
they had seen her kissing Lucian and feared for their daughter’s virtue? That the
opportunity to find a man she loved had been taken away from her because of his
behaviour?
    He leaned in a little.
Eleanor felt her breath stick in her throat, and was it her imagination or had
she just swayed forwards? The gap between them was growing smaller by the
second. The heavy thump of her heart grew deafening and for the life of her,
she couldn’t tear her gaze from his. His breath touched her face and she saw
the dark brown flecks in his green eyes. Her skin grew hot and prickly. He was
going to kiss her, was he not?
    So why was she not
retreating and scolding him?
    The gap didn’t shrink any
further and it felt like they remained close, staring at one another for hours.
He took in her features for she saw his gaze drop down to her lips several
times. She waited to see repulsion but instead his pupils widened, darkening
his gaze further. Her own gaze skipped to the